Paleolithic Navigation: Modern Crew Successfully Crosses Kuroshio Current

In a groundbreaking experiment that bridges archaeology and experimental science, a team of researchers from the University of Tokyo and Taiwan has successfully demonstrated that ancient humans could have navigated the treacherous Kuroshio Current using techniques and tools from the Paleolithic era. The expedition, which took place in June 2025, involved a modern crew paddling a dugout canoe 225 kilometers (approximately 140 miles) from northern Taiwan to Yonaguni Island in the Ryukyu archipelago, using only celestial navigation for guidance.

The Kuroshio Current is known as one of the strongest ocean currents globally, posing significant challenges for navigation. A recent study led by Professor Yousuke Kaifu of the University of Tokyo utilized both simulations and practical voyages to explore how ancient humans may have accomplished such daunting maritime journeys. These findings are critical to understanding the migration patterns of early modern humans in East Asia, particularly as they relate to island-hopping across the region.

According to the research published in the journal *Science Advances*, numerical simulations indicated that a dugout canoe crafted using period-appropriate tools, along with the right navigational strategies, could effectively traverse the Kuroshio Current. The researchers constructed a 7.5-meter canoe from a single Japanese cedar trunk, replicating stone tools believed to be used by Paleolithic humans approximately 30,000 years ago.

"We initiated this project with simple questions: 'How did Paleolithic people arrive at such remote islands as Okinawa?'" said Professor Kaifu. His inquiries led to the use of experimental archaeology, a methodology that involves recreating ancient practices to gain insights into historical human behaviors. The team’s canoe was paddled over 45 hours in open seas, often without visibility of their target destination, Yonaguni Island.

The study’s lead author, Yu-Lin Chang, an oceanographer at the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, emphasized the importance of the simulations in revealing strategic seafaring knowledge among early humans. "The results of our simulations went far beyond what I had imagined," Chang noted, highlighting the extent of strategic planning necessary for successful navigation.

The research also yielded insights into how the early navigators adjusted their course to compensate for the current's strength. Simulations indicated that launching from northern Taiwan provided a better chance of success, and paddlers needed to steer slightly southeast rather than heading directly toward their destination.

This work not only illuminates the capabilities of our Paleolithic ancestors but also serves as a reminder of the challenges they faced in their explorations. "One important message from the whole project was that our Paleolithic ancestors were real challengers," Kaifu remarked, drawing parallels to the navigational prowess of ancient Polynesian peoples, who similarly traversed vast ocean distances without modern tools.

The findings have broader implications for understanding human migration patterns, as well as the historical skills of ancient mariners. As researchers continue to analyze data collected during the expedition, they aim to refine models of ancient sea crossings in the region. The project is supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science under grant number JP18H03596.

In conclusion, this innovative experiment not only sheds light on the capabilities of ancient navigators but also challenges preconceived notions about the limitations of early human exploration. The successful crossing of the Kuroshio Current offers a compelling narrative about the adventurous spirit of our ancestors, their mastery of the sea, and their strategic ingenuity in the face of formidable natural obstacles.